Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation members had a cleanup drive in the lagoon along Beach Road after Super Typhoon Yutu left their “playground” unsafe.
The cleanup was held last Nov. 4 and 10 with members of Napu Outrigger Canoe Club, the Saipan Paddling Club, Marianas Pacific Paddlers Canoe Club, Marianas Outrigger Canoe Club, and Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club picking up tin roofs, chunks of tree branches, and other debris left by the Category 5 typhoon when it hit Saipan and Tinian late last month.
“Super Typhoon Yutu left widespread devastation to our island and left our lagoon littered with all sorts of debris. The lagoon is our playground and the Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation and all its member clubs decided to spend some time cleaning up typhoon-related debris off the ocean and the beaches,” NMNPSF president Justin Andrew said. The cleanup took place at the Civic Center all the way to the lagoon across Atkin’s Kroll in San Jose.
“The ocean/beach cleanup was organized as a potluck and was a great get-away from what seems to be endless daily typhoon debris cleanup routine at our residences. It was a chance for all paddlers to meet and also share some typhoon stories,” said Andrew, whose group along with vice president Dino Manning, secretary Hazel Tudela, treasurer Shelli Neal, and race director Valerie Hofscneider were forced to cancel the 2018 Micronesian Cup, which was original scheduled for Oct. 26 to 28.
The NMNPSF head added that they are planning to hold more cleanup drives as they join the rest of the community in its recovery efforts after Yutu. They will be hooking up with other groups in clearing up the ocean.
“We will continue to collaborate with other groups and agencies to clear out as much as we can in the coming weeks and months until all typhoon-related debris are all clean out of the lagoon,” Andrew said,
“The NMNPSF appreciates everyone’s time and efforts in coming out to clean our ‘playground’ and wishes every one and their families the best as they continue their recovery efforts.”
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